Zen Buffet - Temple City

This spot is the one I like best. I go to a lot of restaurants but to this one I keep coming back again and again. The team is very friendly and the cuisine they place on your table is so delicious. I never miss an opportunity to have a decent meal in this restaurant. I recommend this place with pleasure.

**Lunch Hours: 11 AM to 3:30 PM** If you're looking for a wide variety of Chinese cuisine, good salad options, soups, dim sum, tasty veggies, fried momos, and sushi rolls, this place is a steal for around $9! I enjoy the sushi and wasabi until my sinuses clear up! The salad selections are great, and I love the cold salmon as a side dish, as well as the shredded seaweed and other unique Chinese items! Since I'm on a budget, I stick to ice water, which they always serve with fresh lemons. The lunch is about $9, with drinks being extra! **Ratings:** - Wasabi: 4/5 (not too spicy, not unpleasant for a powder mix!) - Sushi Rolls: 3.5/5 (occasionally you’ll find uni, but overall a good mix) - Dim Sum: 3/5 - Soups: 3/5 - Ambiance: 3/5 - Food Choices: 4/5 - Salads: 3.5/5 - Dessert: 2.5/5 - Parking: 4/5 Sorry, no pictures this time. With Hometown Buffet located right across the street along with a few other buffets, it's easy to find cheaper options. However, given the decline in food quality and variety at Hometown Buffet over the years, if I’m in the mood for a buffet and find myself in Rosemead, I prefer Zen! Zen offers many options, though they tend to run low on stock during the late afternoon in preparation for the dinner service. It’s best to visit around noon when everything is fresh. I’ve never had stomach issues after dining here, but I am careful about what I choose. After experiencing $25 or more meals at Japanese restaurants and Chinese places charging $7 for a small plate, Zen truly stands out as a fantastic deal with limited buffet options in Rosemead! I appreciate value over overpriced bistros!

The only steam hotpot in town! I've visited a few times, and the food definitely tastes better on weekends.

I believe it's healthier than other hot pot options. I really like it!

Fresh seafood is steamed right before your eyes—what more could you want? However, since the food is prepared in front of you, your dining experience may take a little longer than usual. The service is decent; when the servers are present, they are very attentive, but there are usually only 2-3 of them working at a time, so they may not check on you as frequently as you’d like. On the bright side, they offer a delightful selection of dipping sauces.